"SEEMS A FARCE"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 219, 30 September 1940, Page 5

"SEEMS A FARCE"

AMMUNITION CURTAILED OUTBURST BY MEMBER The attitude taken by the Government towards rille clubs was strongly criticised at a meeting of the Napier Rifle Club. It was stated that the club had offered its services to the Defence Department, but had been ignored by them, and it was understood this s T ear no ammunition would be available. Mr C. E. Maney said it seemed a farce to call themselves a Defence Rille Club if their services were not to be utilised in any way. Other members considered the men now going overseas had not had sufficient training in musketry, and expressed the opinion that the 7000 membOers of rifle clubs throughout New Zealand were better qualified to give such instruction than was the average , Army officer. "Nowadays every soldier is taught to handle a machine gun," said Mr Maney, "but no one can use a machine gun effectively unless he is an accurate shot with a rifle." The meeting decided to approach the defence authorities again with an offer to coach membersi of the Home Guard, National Military Reserve, or Territorials, in return for a supply of ammunition. Other clubs are also to be circularised with a view to obtaining support for the suggestion.